AUTHOR: Guohua Pan and Curtis J. Bonk
SOURCE: International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning,
Volume 8, Number 1. March 2007
ABSTRACT:
The open- source software movement is gaining increasing momentum in China. Of the limited numbers of open – source software in China, Red Flag Linux stands out most strikingly, commanding 30 percent share of the Chinese software market. Unlike the spontaneity of open- source movement in North America, open- source software development in China, such as Red Flag Linux, is an orchestrated activity wherein different levels of China’s government play a vital role in sponsoring, incubating, and using open- source software, most conspicuously, Red Flag Linux. While there are no reports on open- source course management system in China, there are reports on the study and us of Western open- source management systems for instruction and learning in Chinese higher education institutions. This paper discusses the current status of open- source in China, including open- source course management software and associated tools and resources. Importantly, it describes the development model of Red Flag Linux, the most successful open- source software initiative in China. In addition, it explores the possibility of Chinese higher education institutions joining efforts to develop China’s own open- source course management system using the open- source development model established in North America. A timeline of current and major open- source projects of significance in China is provided. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential for applying the open- source software development model to open and distance education in China.
THINGS I LEARNED:
Gift culture and distributed development enable the success of open- source software such as Linux and the birth and growth of open- source courseware projects such as CORE and OOPS. Gift culture and distributed development might simultaneously help build and consolidate a community of practice of open- source software developers within higher education; especially related to online learning tools and resources including instructional designers, online educators, and virtual students. This gift culture and distributed development also can be mirrored open and distance learning practices by building and reinforcing a community of open and distance learners, online instructors, instructional designers, and other educational professionals who lend insights into their needs, as well as potential directions of the open- source movement, that can benefit online learning in higher education and other sectors.
IMPLICATIONS:
Given the potential for enormous demands for online learning in China, if and when that happens, the influence of China in the open- source movement will be extensive and potentially relentless. As that occurs, no longer will the thrust within the open- source movement be from North America to China, but instead, it will be pushing, and not too gently, from China back to North America and all other parts of the world. This reverse migration of open- source ideas, tools, and resources is something, of course, which the entire world of higher education will be intently watching.
ABSTRACT:
The open- source software movement is gaining increasing momentum in China. Of the limited numbers of open – source software in China, Red Flag Linux stands out most strikingly, commanding 30 percent share of the Chinese software market. Unlike the spontaneity of open- source movement in North America, open- source software development in China, such as Red Flag Linux, is an orchestrated activity wherein different levels of China’s government play a vital role in sponsoring, incubating, and using open- source software, most conspicuously, Red Flag Linux. While there are no reports on open- source course management system in China, there are reports on the study and us of Western open- source management systems for instruction and learning in Chinese higher education institutions. This paper discusses the current status of open- source in China, including open- source course management software and associated tools and resources. Importantly, it describes the development model of Red Flag Linux, the most successful open- source software initiative in China. In addition, it explores the possibility of Chinese higher education institutions joining efforts to develop China’s own open- source course management system using the open- source development model established in North America. A timeline of current and major open- source projects of significance in China is provided. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential for applying the open- source software development model to open and distance education in China.
THINGS I LEARNED:
Gift culture and distributed development enable the success of open- source software such as Linux and the birth and growth of open- source courseware projects such as CORE and OOPS. Gift culture and distributed development might simultaneously help build and consolidate a community of practice of open- source software developers within higher education; especially related to online learning tools and resources including instructional designers, online educators, and virtual students. This gift culture and distributed development also can be mirrored open and distance learning practices by building and reinforcing a community of open and distance learners, online instructors, instructional designers, and other educational professionals who lend insights into their needs, as well as potential directions of the open- source movement, that can benefit online learning in higher education and other sectors.
IMPLICATIONS:
Given the potential for enormous demands for online learning in China, if and when that happens, the influence of China in the open- source movement will be extensive and potentially relentless. As that occurs, no longer will the thrust within the open- source movement be from North America to China, but instead, it will be pushing, and not too gently, from China back to North America and all other parts of the world. This reverse migration of open- source ideas, tools, and resources is something, of course, which the entire world of higher education will be intently watching.
No comments:
Post a Comment